Apprenticeships
Although apprenticeships are widely regarded as a route to social mobility, individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds are concentrated in apprenticeships at lower levels in contrast to their peers from higher social backgrounds who are more likely to secure opportunities at a higher level. This problem is compounded by the barriers to progression caused by the segmentation of apprenticeship by level.
The benefits of successful apprenticeships for young people are widely acknowledged as being an effective way of increasing social mobility. However, some evidence indicates that apprenticeships are not being targeted at those most in need, reducing their positive impact.1 Worryingly, the most vulnerable groups have been identified as being excluded as a result of financial factors, such as transport costs. But evidence also indicates that young people’s attitudes towards apprenticeships are an important factor.
Overall proportion of each apprenticeship level held by a disadvantaged student
Source: State of the Nation 20192
The young do not rate apprenticeships highly. Polling undertaken by YouGov with the Social Mobility Commission in 2018 found that those over 65 are much more likely than those aged 18-24 to think that apprenticeships offer the best opportunity for career progression. Younger people, in comparison, thought HE offered a better opportunity.60 This should be a wakeup call for the government and employers. Many of the people that apprenticeships are aimed at do not recognise their value, creating a wasted opportunity. Apprenticeships offer two to three times greater earnings returns for young people than for those over 25. Generally, employers too are not embracing the social mobility potential of apprenticeships, instead targeting them at older, skilled workers.3
There is a differential take up of apprenticeship opportunities by gender and ethnicity, with white Males being overrepresented in apprenticeship schemes across all levels. This may be a product of different levels of awareness of the apprenticeship route and also the higher proportion of ethnic minority groups that continues on to higher education. But in light of patterns of discrimination and exclusion in employment, it is likely that racial discrimination is a factor in the distribution of apprenticeships.4
Footnotes
- J Adcock. Apprenticeships: Do they work for everyone? Social Mobility Commission.
- Social Mobility Commission. State of the Nation 2018-19: Social mobility in Great Britain, p. 74.
- ibid.
- Bridget Byrne et al (eds). (2020) Ethnicity, race and inequality in the UK: State of the nation. Policy Press.
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